CS 71 

. F225 


1907 

■ 



RECORD 



OF THE 



FARGO FAMILY 



COMPILED FOR 

JAMES FRANCIS FARGO 

BY 
JOHN J. GIBLIN 

l i 

65 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, N. Y. 



- 



PRINTED 
DECEMBER 
NINETEEN 
HUNDRED 
AND SEVEN 









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\ 



<V 



r 









FARGO FAM I LY 




MOSES FARGO 1 , with his wife Sarah, emigrated 
from Wales about the year 1680, and settled 
in New London, Conn. The history of New London 
by Frances Manwaring Caulkins, published in 1872, 
has the following statement: 

"With other new inhabitants that appear 
between the years 1670 and 1680, and to whom 
house lots were granted, is MOSES FARGO in the 
year 1680." 

He remained in New London until about 1690, 
when he went to Norwich, returning again to the 
north parish of New London (now Montville), 
where he died about the year 1726. He had nine 
children born in the order named below: 
Sarah 3 , born in 1680. 
Mary 2 , born January 1, 1681. 

Ann 2 , born March 2, 1684. 

Patience 2 , born May 9, 1688. 
born April 9, 1691. 
born August 18, 1693. 
born September 30, 1696. 
born November 9, 1699. 
born December 9, 1702. 

(1) 



Moses 2 , 

Ralph 2 , 

Robert 2 , 

Thomas 2 , 

Aaron 2 , 



FARGO FAMILY 

One of the sons named on preceding page was 
the progenitor of the second generation, of the line 
of posterity described herewith. Nothing at present 
is known of him except that he had a son named 
WILLIAM 3 , who was born between 1730 and 1740 
in New London, Conn. The records in and about 
New London show that 

MOSES 2 — (Moses 1 ) had three sons 
Jabez 3 
Samuel 3 
Moses 3 

ROBERT 3 — (Moses 1 ) had two sons 
Robert 3 
Moses 3 

THOMAS 2 — (Moses 1 ) went to Vermont or 
Massachusetts and no one knows what became of him. 

AARON 2 — (Moses 1 ) had one son 
Aaron 3 

As none of the above four sons of Moses 1 had a 
son William, it is probable that 

RALPH 2 — (Moses 1 ) may have been the father of 

WILLIAM 3 , born at New London, Conn., 
between the years 1730 and 1740. 

(2) 



FARGO FAMILY 

WILLIAM FARGO 3 — (Ralph 2 , Moses 1 ) had six 
children as noted below: 

William 4 , born in New London about 1757, 
died in Montville, 1801. 

Samuel 4 , lived at Lyme, Conn. 

Sally 4 , married John Ames. They went 
to Plymouth, Chenango Co., N. Y., in 1807. 

Annie 4 , married James Chappel; died in 
Pompey, N.Y. Her daughter married a 
Mr. Strong and their daughter Tacy married 
William C. Fargo 5 . 

Elizabeth 4 , married Rufus Chapman in 
Lyme, Conn., and died there. 

Hannah 4 , never married; died at Lyme, 
Conn. 



(3) 



FARGO FAMILY 



WILLIAM FARGO 4 — (William 3 , Ralph 2 , 
Moses 1 ), was born about the year 1757. At the age 
of seventeen he was among the first to enlist in the 
Revolutionary War, and he served faithfully during 
the whole of that memorable struggle for indepen- 
dence. The following copy of his military service 
was obtained from the Department of the Interior: 



"Dates of 
Enlistment or 
Appointment 


Length 

of 
Service 


Rank 


Officers under whom ser- 
vice was rendered 


State 


Captain 


Colonel 


Spring 1776 


1 Year 


Pvt. 


Wm. Coit 


Parsons 


Conn. 



On January 2, 1777, enlisted in Capt. Hyde's 
Company, Col. John Durkee's Regiment, for during 
the war; appointed Corporal, February 15, 1780. 
He also served as a Sergeant in Capt. Jonathan 
Heart's Connecticut Company under La Fayette, 
from February to November, 1781, and was present 
at the siege of Yorktown." 

At the close of the war he engaged in commer- 
cial pursuits with Daniel Douglas, their principal 
business being the shipping of cattle and horses to 
the West Indies. For a time this enterprise proved 
successful; but the loss of two ships during a stormy 
voyage brought a reverse from which he never 
recovered financially. 

(4) 



FARGO FAMILY 

He married Mary Congdell at Lyme, Conn., in 
September, 1784. They removed to Montville, 
where he died October 14th, 1801. His widow 
remained in Montville until 1813, when she removed 
to East Springfield, Otsego Co., N. Y. 

Six children were born to them, namely: 

GIDEON 5 , date of birth unknown ; left Mont- 
ville in 1809 with his brother John, and went to 
Pompey, Onondaga Co., N. Y., where he mar- 
ried Betsey Reels. He died at Manlius, N. Y. 

Sally 5 , did not marry; died at East Spring- 
field, N. Y. 

William C. 5 , born March 20th, 1791. 

BETSEY 5 , who was married to Samuel 
Mosher at Montville, Conn., about 1809, and 
moved at once to East Springfield, N. Y., where 
they both died. 

POLLY 5 , who was married at Montville 
to Samuel L. Wheeler about 1806, and moved to 
the town of Bolton, near Hartford, Conn., where 
she died about the year 1845. 

John 5 , who left Montville about 1809, going 
first to Pompey and afterwards to Manlius, N. Y., 
where he died when about twenty years old. 
He never married. 

(5) 



FARGO FAMILY 

WILLIAM C. FARGO 5 — (William 4 , William 8 , 
Ralph 2 , Moses 1 ), was born in New London, Conn., 
March 20th, 1791. His father died when he was but 
ten years old, and he was thus thrown upon his own 
resources. In those days fortune was to be sought 
in the West; so having learned the trade of distiller, 
on the 23rd of January, 1807, he left Connecticut with 
his uncle, John Ames, husband of his aunt, SALLY 
FARGO 4 , going to Plymouth, Chenango County, 
New York, thence to Jamesville, Onondaga County, 
where he found employment in the distillery of 
Benjamin Sandford. 

He remained in this position for about two years, 
when he made his first visit to his Uncle Chappel, 
who married his father's sister, ANNIE 4 , and resided 
in Pompey, N. Y. His visit over, he continued 
his journey westward until he reached Buffalo in 
September, 1810. Here he remained until May, 
1812, when he entered the service of the U. S. Army 
in the pending war with Great Britain. The follow- 
ing is a history of his military service, obtained from 
the Department of the Interior: 

"William C. Fargo was enlisted by Lieut. John 
O'Connor, at Buffalo, N. Y., May 7th, 1812, and in 
June following went to Canandaigua and joined the 
company commanded by Capt. James McKeon, from 

(6) 



FARGO FAMILY 

which place he went to Fort Niagara, then under the 
command of one Captain Leonard. On October 12th, 
1812, he was detached from Captain McKeon's 
company and placed under the command of 
Lieut. Richard M. Bailey, and on the evening of that 
day marched to Lewiston. On the following day 
he crossed with his company to Queenstown and 
participated in the battle. During the fight he was 
wounded in the right thigh by a musket ball and was 
taken back to Lewiston, where he remained in the 
hospital until February, 1813, and was then taken to 
Fort Niagara. On the 22nd of September, 1813, he 
was placed on an unlimited furlough on account of 
his wound, and remained on furlough until October, 
1814. He then joined Capt. R. Jones' company at 
Sacket's Harbor, and was afterwards transferred 
to the company commanded by Benj. K. Pierce, 
and served as a Sergeant at Fort Mackinaw, 
then under the command of Col. John McNeill, 
until May 7th, 1817, when he was honourably 
discharged." 

No longer a soldier he commenced his journey on 
foot from Fort Mackinaw, Mich., to Pompey, N. Y., 
where he arrived in June, 1817. He shortly after 
made a visit to his Uncle Ames in Chenango County, 
and returned in July. 

(7) 



FARGO FAMILY 



On the 10th of August, 1817, he was married 
to his second cousin Tacy Strong, who was born 
September 14th, 1799, in Hebron, Conn. Her father 
was a farmer, lived near Hadham, Hartford County, 
Conn., and died when she was about one year old. 
Her mother's maiden name was Chappel daughter 
of James Chappel, who married ANNIE Fargo 4 , a 
sister of WILLIAM Fargo 4 ). Her mother married 
a second time in 1809, to James Screel, in the town 
of Pompey, N. Y., to which place she had removed 
after her first husband's death. After her marriage to 
James Screel they removed near to Coburg, Canada, 
where they both died. Tacy Strong was the only 
child by both marriages. 

In 1819, William C. Fargo 5 , with his wife Tacy, 
removed from Pompey to Jamesville, N. Y., where 
they started housekeeping. About a year afterwards 
they returned to Pompey, where they resided in and 
near the village of Watervale until the Spring of 1848. 
While in Pompey, Mr. Fargo was engaged in distilling 
and farming, besides holding the office of Constable 
for six years. From Pompey, he moved to Cicero 
Corners, N. Y., where he lived for seven months, 
removing to Manlius, N.Y., near what is known as the 
High Bridge. Here he resided for fifteen years, when 
he consented, with his wife, to accept the gift from 
his children of a substantial and comfortable home 

(8) 



FARGO FAMILY 

in the city of Syracuse, where they both resided until 
their death, Mrs. Fargo's occurring November 9th, 
1869, and Mr. Fargo's, March 16th, 1878. 

In the Summer of 1875, at the age of eighty-four 
years, Mr. Fargo made an extensive tour of the West 
and Northwest, travelling some three thousand miles, 
during which he visited his son Mortimer at Green 
Bay, Wis., and also some of the scenes of his military 
life at Mackinac, Mich. 

Twelve children were born to them, namely: 

William George 6 , born May 20th, 1818. 
Jerome Freeman 6 , born February 6th, 1820. 
Rufus Congdell 6 , born December 26th, 1821. 
Chancellor Livingston 6 , born Jan . 12th , 1824. 
Sarah Ann 6 , born March 24th, 1826. 
Maryette 6 , born December 18th, 1827. 
James Congdell 6 , born May 5th, 1829. 
Charles 6 , born April 15th, 1831. 
Thomas Benton 6 , born May 7th, 1833. 
Emeline 6 , born May 17th, 1836. 
WlLLET HlNMAN 6 , born February 15th, 1840. 
MORTIMER 6 , born September 24th, 1843. 



(9) 



FARGO FAMILY 

WILLIAM GEORGE FARGO 6 — (William C. 6 , 

William 4 , William 3 , Ralph 2 , Moses 1 ), was born at 
Pompey, N. Y., May 20th, 1818. Having had the 
advantage of the country school in the winter 
months, at which he made ordinary proficiency in 
the elemental English branches, he was employed 
at the age of thirteen, to carry the United States 
mail on horse-back from Pompey Hill by way of 
Watervale, Manlius, Oran, Delphi, Fabius and 
Apulia, back to Pompey Hill, a circuit of about 
forty miles. This Post-Office business compelled 
him to promptness and persistence, and grounded 
in him the idea that when a contract is made, 
it must be performed to the letter. From this 
time until 1841 he was employed in various capaci- 
ties, but was steadily climbing the financial ladder. 

In 1841 he became freight agent of the Auburn 
and Syracuse Railroad Company at Auburn. Soon 
afterwards he was appointed messenger, then again 
agent for Pomeroy & Co., who had established an 
express line between Albany and Buffalo. The 
express business was then in its infancy, but Mr. 
Fargo recognized in it the elements of indefinite 
growth and expansion. 

In January, 1844, in company with Mr. Henry 
Wells and Mr. Daniel Dunning, he organized an 
express line from Buffalo to Detroit. In 1845 

(10) 



FARGO FAMILY 

Mr. Dunning withdrew from the firm, and in 1846 
Mr. Wells sold his interests to Mr. William A. 
Livingston; the firm then became Livingston & 
Fargo. In 1850 all interests were consolidated in 
the organization of the American Express Company, 
of which Mr. Wells was the first President, and Mr. 
Fargo, Secretary. Mr. Fargo afterwards became 
President. In the year 1852, Mr. Fargo, with others, 
organized the Wells Fargo & Co. Express. 

Mr. Fargo was for some time a Director and 
Vice-President of the New York Central Railroad 
Company, was connected with and a large contrib- 
utor to the enterprise of the Northern Pacific 
Railroad, and for several years a Director. He 
was also interested in other railroads, besides being 
a stockholder in several of the large manufacturing 
establishments of Buffalo. 

Mr. Fargo was Mayor of Buffalo for four years, 
from 1862 to 1866, and distinguished himself for 
his courtesy, impartiality and executive ability. He 
was a large and constant contributor to charitable, 
religious and, in fact, all public enterprises; a man 
of remarkable decision of character, an instinctive 
judge of men with the rare power of organization 
and control, and of unflinching resoluteness and 
determination. His success was in no sense acci- 
dental. He trod with a purpose all the rounds of 
the ladder of fortune, and at no step had the faintest 

(11) 



FARGO FAMILY 



breath of suspicion ever attached to his integrity. 
He died at Buffalo, N. Y., August 3rd, 1881. 

In January, 1840, Mr. Fargo married Anna H. 
Williams, of Pompey. They had eight children: 
ALMA CORNELIA 7 , born February 23rd, 

1842, died December 30th, 1842. 

SARAH IRENE 7 , born September 22nd, 

1843, died October 27th, 1854. 

William George 7 , born December 1st, 
1845, died December 28th, 1872; married Min- 
erva Elizabeth Prendergast, who died in Buffalo, 
October 11th, 1873. They had two children: 
Anna 8 . 
Mary 8 . 
Hannah Sophia 7 , born September 30th, 
1847, died December 20th, 1851. 

Mary Louise 7 , born September 7th, 1851, 
died March 24th, 1852. 

Helen Lacy 7 , born at Buffalo, N. Y., 
December 3rd, 1857, died at Riverdale, N. Y., 
January 17th, 1886. On October 11th, 1881, 
she married Herbert G. Squiers, U. S. Army, 
at Fort Monroe, Va. Their children were: 

GLADYS 8 , born September 11th, 1882. 
William G. Fargo 8 , born 1883. 
GEORGIANA 8 , born 1884. 
Helen 8 , born 1886. 
(12) 



FARGO FAMILY 

Edwin Morgan 7 , born December 1st, 
1861, died May 4th, 1865. 

GEORGIANA 7 , married Charles W. McCune, 
of New York. She died in New York, Septem- 
ber 10th, 1892. 

* JEROME FREEMAN FARGO 6 — (William C. 5 , 
William 4 , William 3 , Ralph 2 , Moses 1 ), was born at 
Jamesville, N. Y., February 6th, 1820. He worked 
on a farm in the summers and attended school in 
the winters until he was fifteen years of age, when 
he obtained a position as a clerk. About the year 
1840 he entered into partnership with his elder 
brother, William G., as a merchant and baker. 
Upon the termination of the business he moved to 
Auburn, to accept a position in the Auburn and 
Syracuse Railroad Company. He continued in 
this service until its consolidation with the organiza- 
tion making up the New York Central Railroad 
Company. He served the Central Road until June, 
1856, when he removed to Buffalo, where he became 
interested in many large enterprises. In 1873 he 
was appointed to the position of Superintendent of 
the Personal Property and Real Estate of the Ameri- 
can Express Company on all the lines west of Buffalo, 
a position he held until his death, which occurred at 
Buffalo, January 19th, 1883. 

(13) 



FARGO FAMILY 

On July 1st, 1839, he married Miss Hannah 
Watson, of Weedsport, N. Y., who died in 1887. 
They had seven children : 

William F. 7 , born in Weedsport, N. Y., 
March 4th, 1840, died May 12th, 1843. 

JEROME R. 7 , born in Auburn, N. Y., 
December 17th, 1842, died September 24th, 

1847. 

MERRITT W. 7 , born in Auburn, N. Y., 
March 31st, 1845, died February 7th, 1852. 

George Watson 7 , born in Auburn, N. Y., 
December 23rd, 1848, married Alice M. Diller, 
at Buffalo, N. Y., June 29th, 1870, and had the 
following children: 

Fannie Alice 8 , born in Buffalo, N. Y., 
September 12th, 1871. 

Hannah Watson 8 , born in Buffalo, 
N. Y., December 24th, 1873, married 
William Lincoln Popple, in Buffalo, N. Y., 
October 14th, 1896, and has one child: 

Marion Fargo 9 , born in Buffalo, 

N. Y., November 30th, 1903. 

EMELINE DlLLER 8 , born in Buffalo, 
N. Y., July 30th, 1875. 

Jerome Freeman 8 , born in Buffalo, 
N. Y., June 14th, 1884. Resides in Buffalo, 

(14) 



FARGO FAMILY 



N. Y. He is in the employ of the Ameri- 
can Express Company. 
Frank E. 7 , born in Syracuse, N. Y., July 
3rd, 1856, died March 29th, 1859. 

TACIE HANNAH 7 , born in Buffalo, N. Y., 

February 11th, 1864, died December 3rd, 1866. 

Bessie 7 , born in Buffalo, N. Y., November 

30th, 1867, married in 1887, Stephen Sears, and 

had the following children : 

Francis 8 , born April, 1888. 
Jerome F. 8 , born May 30th, 1889. 
Winthrop K. 8 , born August 24th, 1890. 
Stephen R. 8 , born July 14th, 1896. 
RUFUS CONGDELL FARGO 6 — (William C. 5 , 
William 4 , William 3 , Ralph 2 , Moses 1 ), was born at 
Pompey, N. Y., December 26th, 1821. He died there 
on September 29th, 1822. His remains lie in the 
cemetery at Pompey Hill. 

CHANCELLOR LIVINGSTON FARGO 6 — 
(William C. 5 , William 4 , William 3 , Ralph 2 , Moses 1 ), 
was born at Sherman Hollow, N. Y., January 12th, 
1824. Having learned the trade of a carriage-maker at 
Auburn, N. Y.,he conducted that business for about 
five years at Watervale, but subsequently engaged in 
the express business. He owned the Lake Superior 
Express Company, which he sold to the American 
Express Company about the year 1857. 

(15) 



FARGO FAMILY 



He married twice: his first wife was Phoebe 
Williams, a (laughter of Nathan Williams, of Pompey, 
who bore him six children. His second wife was 
Rebecca Winchester. He died December 16th, 
1862, at High Bridge, N. Y., and was buried at 
Watervale. His children were : 

RANSOM J. 7 , born December 7th, 1843; died 
July, 1867. 

Orin Williams 7 , born August 24th, 1845; 
died at Buffalo, N. Y., June, 1880. He had 
two daughters: 

TACY STRONG 8 , married, resides in 
Jersey City. 

Sarah 8 , married, resides in Jersey City. 
Sarah E. 7 , born February 16th, 1847; died 
September, 1849. 

Fayette Charles 7 , born June 5th, 1849. 
In his fourteenth year he obtained his first posi- 
tion as a salesman for Pratt & Letchworth, 
wholesale saddlery and harness dealers at Buffalo, 
N. Y., where he remained for fifteen months. 
On June 22nd, 1864, he entered the service of 
the American Express Company as errand and 
letter boy, from which, through his energy and 
application to business, he steadily advanced 
until he had filled every position to General 
Superintendent, Messenger and Route Agent 

(16) 



FARGO FAMILY 

excepted. Owing to ill health he was obliged 
to resign his office as General Superintendent at 
Chicago, 111. He is now Superintendent at 
Indianapolis, Ind. He married Mary Munger, 
who bore him the following children : 

Fayette S. 8 , born November 13th, 1876. 
Chancellor Orin 8 , born December 
6th, 1877. 

Edgar Deloss 8 , born March 3rd, 1879; 
died March 19th, 1883. 

Livingston Munger 8 , born July 17th, 
1880; died October, 1880. 

Jewell Hannah 8 , born December 8th, 
1881. 

Emma C. 7 , born October 6th, 1849; died 
November, 1849. 

Samuel William 7 , born October 4th, 1850, 
married at Chicago, 111.; at present lives in Indi- 
anapolis, Ind. He had one daughter: 

Grace 8 , who married and resided at 
Chicago, where she died leaving a child. 
SARAH ANN FARGO 6 — (William C. 5 , 
William 4 , William 3 , Ralph 2 , Moses 1 ), was born at 
Watervale, N. Y., March 24th, 1826; died at Detroit, 
Mich., December 13th, 1888. She married a Mr. 
Harvey S. Reed. They had two children: 

Charles Fargo 7 , who entered the service 

(17) 



FARGO FAMILY 

of the American Express Company as a label boy 
in October, 1868, and has since that time held 
the positions of driver, money-clerk, cashier and 
general agent at Detroit, Mich. Married Miss 
Jennie Rowlson, daughter of the Hon. H. B. 
Rowlson, of Hillsdale, Mich. They have two 
children: 

Margaret Tacy s , born April 24th, 
1886. 

Harvey Rowlson 8 , born February 7th, 
1892. 

Fannie Stuart 7 , born February 5th, 1860. 
MARYETTE FARGO 6 — (William C. 5 , 
William 4 , William 3 , Ralph 2 , Moses 1 ), was born at 
Watervale, N. Y., December 18th, 1827. Late in 
the forties she was married to Samuel P. Wormley, 
who for some years had been associated in the 
express business with her brother, WILLIAM G. 
FARGO, when that business was in a very primitive 
state. After their marriage they went to Detroit, 
Mich., and later to Marshall, where Mr. Wormley 
became agent of the American Express Company. 
In 1881 they removed to Grand Rapids, Mich., Mr. 
Wormley having been appointed agent of that com- 
pany at that city. This position he held until his 
death, which occurred March 2nd, 1899. Three 
children were born to them, namely: 

(18) 



FARGO FAMILY 

Frank 7 , died in 1881. 

William George 7 , who entered the service 
of the American Express Company, having been 
appointed Route Agent at Grand Rapids, Mich. 
In 1894, he was appointed Assistant Superinten- 
dent at that city; he was transferred to Detroit, 
Mich., May 1st, 1900. Married Stella Hahn of 
Chicago, about 1895. Has one son, George 8 , 
born in Chicago. 

James Charles 7 , who was also employed 
for some years in the American Express Com- 
pany, at New York City, but resigned his posi- 
tion to enter into the business of Electrical Ap- 
pliances. 

JAMES CONGDELL FARGO 6 — (William C. 5 , 
William 4 , William 3 , Ralph 3 , Moses 1 ), was born at 
Watervale, Onondaga County, N. Y., May 5th, 1829. 
He was the seventh child of WILLIAM C. FARGO and 
his wife, whose union was blessed with twelve 
children. This worthy couple were not burdened 
with riches and were unable to give their children 
such educational advantages as are only attainable by 
people of means and consequently their son James 
graduated at the old red school-house at Watervale. 
Studious, ambitious to learn, and a most industrious 
reader, he emerged from the common school a 
better and more practical scholar than are the major- 
at 



FARGO FAMILY 

ity of those who regularly graduate and whose sole 
evidence is contained in their diplomas. 

At the age of fifteen, Mr. Fargo went to Buffalo 
and entered the office of his brother, WILLIAM G. 
FARGO, who with others was running an express line 
between Buffalo and Albany, under the name of 
Livingston, Wells & Pomeroy, and another between 
Buffalo and Detroit, known as Wells & Co. After 
discharging for a short time the duties of sweeping 
out the office and running errands, the young man 
was promoted to the delivery of money packages 
about the city. At that time the express business 
amounted to a single carpet-bag and a dozen articles 
a day between Albany and Buffalo, and the same 
quantity once a week between Buffalo and Detroit. 
The railroad had just been completed to Buffalo, 
but west of that city there was no railroad built. 

In the Spring of 1847, Mr. Fargo accompanied 
his brother to Detroit when he took up his quarters 
in Wells & Co.'s office in that city. Early the 
following year his brother returned to Buffalo, leav- 
ing Mr. Fargo in partial charge of the office in 
Detroit, and soon after giving him entire control of 
the business in that city, first as local agent, and sub- 
sequently, as the two trunk lines of railroad through 
Michigan were completed, as Superintendent of 
Wells & Co.'s business in that state. This responsible 

(20) 



FARGO FAMILY 

position was filled with signal ability and fidelity 
until January, 1855, when he went to Chicago, hav- 
ing been appointed agent in charge of the Chicago 
office of the American Express Company. The old 
previous companies, it should be stated here, had 
been merged in 1850, into what was now known as 
the great and powerful American Express Company. 
Mr. Fargo, shortly after assuming charge of the 
Company's office in Chicago, was appointed to the 
General Superintendency of the Northwest division 
of the Company's lines, the duties of which were 
performed in a manner that rendered him unani- 
mously popular with business men, idolized by his 
employees, and commanding the respect and admir- 
ation of the Company. Indeed his talents and genius 
so eminently fitted him to rise, that in January, 1867, 
he was called to the city of New York to assume the 
position of General Superintendent of the entire 
system of lines of the American Express Company, 
and Director in the great Banking, Express and 
Stage Company of the Pacific t States, Wells, Fargo 
& Co., the business of which powerful organization 
extends to all parts of the world. In 1872, his health 
breaking down under the continued strain of over- 
work, he was given a leave of absence from his 
duties and went to Europe with his family; he re- 
mained there some eighteen months, and returned 

(21) 



FARGO FAMILY 

to New York fully recovered in health and able to 
begin again his responsible duties. 

Mr. Fargo was made a director of the American 
Express Company in 1859, and in 1881, at the death 
of his brother, WILLIAM G. Fargo, who was Presi- 
dent of the Company, he succeeded him in that im- 
portant and responsible position. 

In addition to his engrossing responsibilities as 
General Manager of the American Express Company, 
he found time to organize the Merchants Despatch 
Transportation Company in 1871, of which he was 
made President. This Company was first formed in 
1857, to operate a fast freight system over what are 
now known as the New York Central Lines; it at 
once found favor with the public and has proved 
of profit to its owners, the American Express Com- 
pany and the New York Central Railroad. 

Mr. Fargo introduced many innovations in the 
express business and it is greatly owing to his ability 
and energy that the Company reaches its position as 
being the standard and greatest express company in 
the country. He was never satisfied to let things go 
on as they were but was always looking to improve 
every department of the Company. In 1882 he in- 
troduced the Money Order system, which in a few 
years grew into an immense feature of the Express 
Company, and was taken up by all the other Express 

(22) 



FARGO FAMILY 

Companies. Following this success, Mr. Fargo in- 
augurated the Travelers Cheques, a system of travel- 
ing credits which carried the fame and standing of the 
Company to all quarters of the world. To such an 
extent did the Money Order and Travelers Cheque 
system extend the influence of the Company that 
Mr. Fargo soon saw the necessity of branching out 
the Company's lines into Europe, and accordingly, 
in 1896, offices were opened in London and Paris, 
to be followed soon after with offices at other impor- 
tant points and agencies throughout the whole of 
Europe. In short, the history of the American Ex- 
press Company might be taken as a history of Mr. 
Fargo's life, so thoroughly did he identify himself 
with its interests. 

Outside of the Company, Mr. Fargo holds many 
other important positions. He is a Director in the 
United States Express Company, National Express 
Company, Westcott Express Company and the Chicago 
& Northwestern R. R. Co. He is a strong church- 
man, having identified himself as a vestryman with 
Trinity Church in Chicago, in 1857, and on his re- 
moval to New York in 1867, with St. Thomas' 
Church of that city. He was soon after made Ves- 
tryman and Treasurer of the latter church, and for 
more than twenty-five years has held that responsible 
position, filling it with honor to himself and benefit 
to the church. 

(23) 



FARGO FAMILY 

Mr. Fargo is singularly quiet and unostentatious 
in habit and manner, his intercourse with his friends 
being marked with a dignity bespeaking the gentle- 
man. He possesses a light graceful figure of medium 
size and height, a fine looking face, clear complexion 
and kindly eye. Mr. Fargo was married to Fannie 
Parsons Stuart, daughter of Col. John Stuart, of Battle 
Creek, Mich., on the fifteenth of December, 1853. 
Mr. and Mrs. Fargo had four children, two sons and 
two daughters. On August 31st, 1896, Mr. Fargo 
lost his wife, who died very suddenly while on a trip 
in the Adirondack Mountains. 

The children of the family were : 

William Congdell Fargo 7 , born in 
Chicago, 111., May 27th, 1855. After leaving 
Anthon Grammar School in New York, he en- 
tered Williams College, whence he graduated in 
the class of 1878. Upon his graduation he was 
made Cashier of the Merchants Despatch Trans- 
portation Company, and held that position until 
1880, when he entered the firm of Page, Fargo 
& Co., agents of the Howe Scale Company. 
Enlisted in the Ninth Co., Seventh Regiment, 
National Guard, State of New York, March 15, 
1879, serving in that Regiment to Oct. 29, 1885, 
when hewas honourablydischarged. In 1883, Mr. 
Fargo entered the service of the American Ex- 

(24) 



FARGO FAMILY 



press Company and was appointed Secretary of 
the Executive Committee; in 1898 he was ap- 
pointed Assistant Secretary of the Company. 
In 1895, upon the reorganization of the National 
Express Company, he was elected Treasurer and 
Director of that Company. In 1903, when the 
American Express Company purchased the 
Westcott Express Company, Mr. Fargo was 
elected Treasurer and Director of the latter 
Company. He also holds a position as Director 
of the New England Despatch Company. 

Mr. Fargo is a member of the Ardsley, 
University, Church and New York Athletic Clubs, 
and the New York Genealogical Society. 

On April 20th, 1881, he married Mary Stock- 
well Preston, daughter of William R. Preston, of 
New York, at New York. 
Their children are : 

William Preston 8 , born in New York 
City, March 24th, 1883. He entered Har- 
vard University, Class of 1906. 

HELEN 8 , born in New York City, June 
19th, 1886. Married at St. Thomas' Church, 
New York, Nov. 8th, 1905, to Nathaniel 
Ford Moore of Chicago, 111. 
James Francis Fargo 7 , born in Chi- 
cago, 111., February 13th, 1857. He graduated 

(25) 



FARGO FAMILY 

from Williams College in 1879, and entered the 
firm of Page, Fargo & Co., agents of the Howe 
Scale Company in New York. In 1883, he 
entered the service of the American Express 
Company as a clerk in the Money Order and 
General Accounting Office. In 1885 he was 
appointed Assistant Treasurer of the Company, 
in February, 1902, was elected Treasurer, and 
in 1905, Vice-President and Treasurer. 

Mr. Fargo is a trustee of the American 
Savings Bank and a Director of the Hanover 
National Bank, New York. He is a member of 
the Ardsley, University, St. Anthony, Seabright, 
Church and Riding Clubs, the New England 
Society, the New York Chamber of Commerce 
and the New York Genealogical Society. 

On May 17th, 1881, Mr. Fargo married 
Miss Jane Lindley King, of New York. Their 
children are : 

Grace Lindley 8 , born in New York, 

May 28th, 1883. Married at St. Thomas' 

Church, New York, April 25th, 1907, to 

Daniel Chauncey, Jr., of Brooklyn, N. Y. 
James Stanley 8 , born in New York, 

March 5th, 1886. He is now at Harvard 

University, class of 1908. 

James CONGDELL, 2d 8 , born in New 
(26) 



FARGO FAMILY 



York, May 23rd, 1888. He is now at St. 
Paul's School, Concord, N. H. 

Clara 8 , born in Bedford, N. Y., July 
10th, 1890. 

Annie Stuart 7 , born in Chicago, 111., 
November 23rd, 1858. She died in New York 
City on January 1st, 1884. On October 4th, 1882, 
she was married to William Duncan Preston, at 
Irvington-on-Hudson, N. Y. Their only child 
was: 

Stuart Duncan 8 , born in New York, 
January 1st, 1884. He graduated from Har- 
vard University, Class of 1906. Entered 
Columbia College Law School, Oct. 1, 1906. 
Grace Brownell 7 , born in Greenport, 
L. I., died in Irvington, N. Y.; aged seven 
years. 

CHARLES FARGO 6 — (William C. 5 , William 4 , 
William 3 , Ralph 2 , Moses 1 ), was born at Watervale, 
Onondaga County, N. Y., April 15th, 1831. He 
commenced his express education in the Detroit 
office under the charge of his brother James, and 
worked his way steadily up. After several years of 
experience in the Detroit office, he was appointed 
agent at Toledo, Ohio. When James C. was trans- 
ferred to Chicago, Charles took his place at Detroit, 
and upon the transfer of James to New York, he re- 

(27) 



FARGO FAMILY 

moved to Chicago, to assume the important position 
of Second Vice-President of the American Express 
Company, of which he was also a Director. It may 
be said of Charles as of his brother James C, that he 
grew up in the express business and gave it his 
closest and undivided attention. In its general scope 
and in the minutest details he was familiarly at home. 
He deserved and won the confidence and respect of 
all the express managers in the country, as a gentle- 
man of marked ability and conspicuous exactness 
and trustworthiness. His relations with railroad 
companies and other transportation lines extended 
over a period of nearly half a century, and, with his 
brother James, he was probably acquainted with a 
greater number of railroad officials and businessmen 
in the country than any other two men of their 
years. To him belongs a large share of credit for 
the perfect organization and successful working of 
the American Express Company. 

On December 18th, 1854, he married Mary Jane 
Bradford, at Cooperstown, N. Y., daughter of 
Harvey S. Bradford, of that town. They resided in 
Detroit, Mich., until 1867, when they removed to 
Chicago, 111. Mr. Fargo died in Chicago, 111., 
October 13th, 1900. Mrs. Fargo died in Brookline 
(near Boston), Mass., on February 24th, 1899. The 
following children were born to them: 

(28) 



FARGO FAMILY 

IRENE 7 , born in Detroit, Mich., April 7th, 
1857; married in Chicago to J. C. B. Andrews 
of New York, May 17th, 1882. Now living in 
Chicago. They had one daughter: 

Edith Fargo 8 , born May 7th, 1888. 

Livingston Wells 7 , born in Detroit, 
Mich., February 12th, 1860. He lived in 
Detroit until 1867, when he removed with his 
parents to Chicago, 111. In 1877 he went to 
Williamstown, Mass., where he spent one year 
in preparation for entering Williams College, 
graduating with honours in 1882. He visited 
England and France during the succeeding 
year, and then returned to Chicago. He 
entered the service of the American Express 
Company, and was made Superintendent at 
Milwaukee, Wis. In 1893 he was made Assis- 
tant General Manager at Chicago, and in 1906, 
Vice-President and General Manager of the 
Western Department. 

Bradford Story 7 , born and died in Detroit, 
Mich., in 1866. 

Adelaide Phillips 7 , born in Chicago, 111., 
July 18th, 1868. Married Henry G. Lord of 
Boston, Mass., in Chicago, June 5th, 1893. 
Removed to Brookline, Mass. They have two 
daughters: 

(29) 



FARGO FAMILY 



Mary Fargo 8 , born in Jamaica Plains, 
September 5th, 1894. 

Rebecca Greenleaf 8 , born in Brook- 
line, June 22nd, 1897. 
Florence Bradford 7 , born in Chicago, 
111., February 1st, 1872. Married Frederick 
Russell Wheeler of Lockport, N. Y., Sept. 2, 
1905. Resides in Lockport, N. Y. 
THOMAS BENTON FARGO 6 ,— (William C 5 , 
William 4 , William 3 , Ralph 2 , Moses 1 ), was born at 
Watervale, Onondaga County, N. Y., May 7th, 
1833. He was employed with his brothers in the 
American Express Company, being stationed at 
Buffalo, N. Y., Detroit, Mich, and Chicago, 111. 
He was subsequently in the employ of the Mer- 
chants Despatch Transportation Company, at New 
York City, where he died June 24th, 1900. He 
was married three times, the first time at Adrian, 
Mich., July 11th, 1855, to Miss Emma Laudelia 
Merrick, daughter of Dr. G. W. Merrick; the sec- 
ond time to Mrs. Louisa Thomas; and the third 
time to Mrs. Quinn of Boston, Mass. The children 
by these marriages were: 

Charles 7 , son of the first wife, was born 
at Adrian, Mich., April 25th, 1856. He was 
formerly in the employ of the American Ex- 
press Company, but in 1883 he moved to One- 

(30) 



FARGO FAMILY 



onta, N. Y., to become Agent of the United 
States and Canadian Express Companies. He is 
now Agent of the American Express Company 
at Springfield, 111. He married Mary Gertrude 
Redmond, October 11th, 1888, at Quincy, 111., 
and had two children: 

Marie Katherine 8 , born May 3rd, 

1892. 

Grace Emily 8 , born August 13th, 1894. 
LOUISE 7 , daughter of second wife, born Jan- 
uary 19th, 1871, at Buffalo, N. Y. 
EMELINE FARGO 6 ,— (William C. 5 , William 4 , 
William 3 , Ralph 2 , Moses 1 ), was born at Watervale, 
Onondaga County, N. Y., May 17th, 1836; died 
February 20th, 1881. She married Frederick Deesz 
of Syracuse, N. Y., who was for fourteen years 
passenger conductor of the New York Central Rail- 
road, and died in 1887. They had two daughters: 
Jennie 7 , who married Ira Goodrich of Syra- 
cuse, N. Y. 

ETTA 7 , who married in 1888. 
WILLET HINMAN FARGO 6 ,— (William C. 5 , 
William 4 , William 3 , Ralph 2 , Moses 1 ), was born at 
Pompey, N. Y., February 15th, 1840. When the 
Civil War broke out, imbued with the spirit of 
patriotism, he enlisted in the 21st Regiment, N. Y. 
Volunteers, where he was appointed 3rd Sergeant 

(31) 



FARGO FAMILY 



of Company D, by Col. W. F. Rogers. On Sep- 
tember 6th, 1862, he transferred to the 116th Reg- 
iment, N. Y. Volunteers, in which he served as 
Lieutenant and Quartermaster by appointment of 
Governor E. D. Morgan. He was honourably dis- 
charged November 25th, 1862. 

On October 18th, 1873, he was married at 
Rochester, N. Y., to Eveline Caldwell of Syracuse, 
N. Y., by the Rev. Urias H. Muller. They had 
no children. He died at Decatur, 111., February 
14th, 1876, and was buried at Detroit, Mich. 

MORTIMER FARGO 6 ,— (William C. 5 , Wil- 
liam 4 , William 3 , Ralph 2 , Moses 1 ), was born at Water- 
vale, Onondaga County, N. Y., September 24th, 
1843. He was employed with his older brothers in 
the American Express Company at Chicago, De- 
troit, Jackson, Mich., Syracuse, N. Y., and later as 
an Agent at Green Bay, Wis. In 1882 he was 
called to New York and appointed General Man- 
ager of the Money Order Department then newly 
organized. In 1901 he was appointed General Auditor 
of the Financial Department and has held that highly 
responsible position ever since, filling it with great 
satisfaction to all. 

On January 20th, 1870, Mr. Fargo married 
Mary Drake of Zanesville, Ohio, who died in New 
York, January 12th, 1892. He was married a second 
time to Jennie Drummond on October 25th, 1895. 

(32) 



INDEX 



Ames, John 3 

Andrews, Edith Fargo 8 29 

Andrews, J.C.B 29 

Bradford, Mary Jane 28 

Caldwell, Eveline 32 

Chapman, Rufus 3 

Chappel, James 3, 8 

Chauncey, Daniel, Jr 26 

Congdell, Mary 5 

Deesz, Etta 7 31 

Deesz, Frederick 31 

Deesz, Jennie 7 31 

Diller, Alice M 14 

Drake, Mary 32 

Drummond, Jennie 32 

Fargo, Aaron* 1,2 

Fargo, Aaron 3 2 

Fargo, Adelaide Phillips 7 29 

Fargo, Alma Cornelia 7 12 

Fargo, Ann 3 1 

Fargo, Anna 8 12 

Fargo, Annie 4 3, 8 

Fargo, Annie Stuart 7 27 

Fargo, Bessie 7 15 

Fargo, Betsy 5 5 

Fargo, Bradford Story 7 29 

Fargo, Chancellor Livingston* 9,15 
Fargo, Chancellor Orin 8 ...:... 17 

Fargo, Charles 6 9,27 

Fargo, Charles 7 30 

Fargo, Clara 8 27 



Fargo, Edgar Deloss 8 17 

Fargo, Edwin Morgan 7 13 

Fargo, Elizabeth 4 3 

Fargo, Emeline 6 9, 31 

Fargo, Emeline Diller 8 14 

Fargo, Emma C. 7 17 

Fargo, Fannie Alice 8 14 

Fargo, Fayette Charles 7 16 

Fargo, Fayette S. 8 17 

Fargo, Florence Bradford 7 30 

Fargo, Frank E. 7 15 

Fargo, George Watson 7 14 

Fargo, Georgiana 7 13 

Fargo, Gideon 5 5 

Fargo, Grace 8 17 

Fargo, Grace Brownell 7 27 

Fargo, Grace Emily 8 31 

Fargo, Grace Lindley 8 26 

Fargo, Hannah 4 3 

Fargo, Hannah Sophia 7 12 

Fargo, Hannah Watson 8 14 

Fargo, Helen 8 25 

Fargo, Helen Lacy 7 12 

Fargo, Irene 7 29 

Fargo, Jabez* 2 

Fargo, James Congdell 6 .... 9, 19 
Fargo, James Congdell, 2d R . . . .26 

Fargo, James Francis 7 25 

Fargo, James Stanley 8 26 

Fargo, John 5 5 

Fargo, Jerome Freeman 6 . .9, 13 



INDEX 



Fargo, Jerome Freeman 8 14 

Fargo, Jerome R. 7 14 

Fargo, Jewell Hannah 8 17 

Fargo, Livingston Munger 8 . ... 17 

Fargo, Livingston Wells 7 29 

Fargo, Louise 7 31 

Fargo, Marie Katherine 8 31 

Fargo, Marion 9 14 

Fargo, Mary* 1 

Fargo, Mary 8 12 

Fargo, Maryette* 9, 18 

Fargo, Mary Louise 7 12 

Fargo, Merritt W. 7 14 

Fargo, Mortimer* 9, 32 

Fargo, Moses 1 1 

Fargo, Moses' 1,2 

Fargo, Moses 3 2 

Fargo, Orin Williams 7 16 

Fargo, Patience* 1 

Fargo, Polly 5 5 

Fargo, Ralph 1 1,2 

Fargo, Ransom J. 7 16 

Fargo, Robert 8 1, 2 

Fargo, Robert 3 2 

Fargo, Rufus Congdell* 9, 15 

Fargo, Sally 4 3 

Fargo, Sally 5 5 

Fargo, Samuel 3 2 

Fargo, Samuel 4 3 

Fargo, Samuel Williams 7 17 

Fargo, Sarah 1 1 



Fargo, Sarah 1 1 

Fargo, Sarah* 16 

Fargo, Sarah Ann" 9, 17 

Fargo, Sarah E. T 16 

Fargo, Sarah Irene 7 12 

Fargo, Tacie Hannah 7 15 

Fargo, Tacy Strong 8 16 

Fargo, Thomas 1 1,2 

Fargo, Thomas Benton* 9. 30 

Fargo, Willet Hinman* 9, 31 

Fargo, William 8 2, 3 

Fargo, William 4 3. 4 

Fargo, William C. 5 3. 5, 6 

Fargo, William Congdell 7 24 

Fargo, William F. 7 14 

Fargo, William George* 9, 10 

Fargo, William George 7 12 

Fargo, William Preston 8 25 

Goodrich, Ira 31 

Hahn, Stella 19 

Xing, Jane Lindley 26 

Lord, Henry G 29 

Lord, Mary Fargo 8 30 

Lord, Rebecca Greenleaf" 30 

McCune, Charles W 13 

Merrick, Emma Laudelia 30 

Moore, Nathaniel Ford 25 

Mosher, Samuel 5 

Munger, Mary 17 

Popple, William Lincoln 14 

Prendergast, Minerva Elizabeth 12 



INDEX 



Preston, Mary Stockwell 25 

Preston, Stuart Duncan 8 27 

Preston, William Duncan 27 

Quinn, Mrs 30 

Redmond, Mary Gertrude 31 

Reed, Charles Fargo 7 17 

Reed, Fanny Stuart 7 18 

Reed, Harvey Rowlson 8 18 

Reed, Harvey S 17 

Reed, Margaret Tacy 8 18 

Reels, Betsy 5 

Rowlson, Jennie 18 

Screel, James 8 

Sears, Francis 8 15 

Sears, Jerome F. 8 15 

Sears, Stephen 15 

Sears, Stephen R. 8 15 

Sears, Winthrop K. 8 15 

Wormley, William 



Squiers, Georgiana 8 12 

Squiers, Gladys 8 12 

Squiers, Helen 8 12 

Squiers, Herbert G 12 

Squiers, William G. Fargo 8 12 

Strong, Tacy 6 3, 8 

Stuart, Fannie Parsons 24 

Thomas, Louisa 30 

Watson, Hannah 14 

Wheeler, Frederick Russell 30 

Wheeler, Samuel L 5 

Williams, Anna H 12 

Williams, Phoebe 16 

Winchester, Rebecca 16 

Wormley, Frank 7 19 

Wormley, George 8 19 

Wormley, James Charles 7 19 

Wormley, Samuel P 18 

George 7 19 



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